In our world, sex before marriage is normal, hooking up is normal, funky sex is normal, and pornography is normal. Normal is: sex is casual and inclusive, not exclusive and monogamous. In college, having a “body count” is normal.

Normal is riddled with shame and regret. Normal is broken. Normal is living in guilt. Normal is unchecked and distorted desires that make us more like animals than God’s prized creation. Normal is struggling dating relationships. Normal is struggling marriages. Normal is divorced. Normal is habitual sexual sin and sexual addiction.

Let’s not be normal! Let’s stop being normal, like everybody else! God made you for love—don’t settle for lust. The gospel is about freedom in Christ—don't settle for crippling addition.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” — Romans 12:2(NIV)

Join us this week on Locker Room as we talk about a subject that is eating men’s lunch: pornography.

 

DISCUSSION GUIDE

Scott shared a lot of startling statistics about pornography. Which stood out to you? What do these statistics reveal about our culture as a whole?

“And it’s not just the people in the world—it’s people in the church.” What do the stats about Christians using pornography reveal about the church as a whole?

“Sin will take us farther than we ever wanted to go, keep us longer than we ever wanted to stay, and cost us more than we thought it would cost us.” How have you seen this statement prove true in your life experience?

Read James 1:13-15. The Enemy is real and you will be tempted. How have you effectively fought temptation? Where do you need help?

Read Galatians 6:7-8. What are you currently “sowing” (planting) in your life? How have you seen that produce what you “reap” in your life?

Read 1 Corinthians 10:12-13. We have to leverage God’s promise of strength in the face of temptation. Do you really believe he will provide a way out of temptation? What tools does God give us to escape? What is your “why” for fighting temptation?

Read John 14:13. We have to leverage the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit’s activity in our lives. Have you been baptized and received the Holy Spirit? If not, that is your first step in fighting temptation. If yes, how can you practically utilize prayer and the Spirit to fight temptation?

Read Romans 6:1-7, 11-18. If we want to quit porn and fight for purity, we have to understand our new position in Christ. If you are a Jesus follower you are no longer a slave to sin. Do you believe that? How can you believe that truth?

Read 1 John 1:8-9. If we want to quit porn and fight for purity, we have to confess our sin and not conceal it. Is there sin that you have not confessed to a fellow believer? Why are you holding onto it? Who can you tell? How can this group help?

If we want to quit porn and fight for purity, we have to hate sin! What steps can you take to truly fight this sin? Do you need to sign up for Covenant Eyes or something like it?

Be honest and answer, “Left unchecked, what could your sexual sin cost you?” Based on your answer what do you need to do NOW?

What else from the podcast spoke to you?

What did God/Holy Spirit speak/prompt/say to you?  What’s God asking you to do?  What does He want to give you?  What does He want you to lay down?

NEXT STEPS 

• Sign up for accountability with covenanteyes.com

• Join a Group at southland.church/groups

• For any other questions or comments email [email protected]